At the end of the film right after Gere is set free and is then approached by the nerdy guy from the US embassy Gere says something that sounds like, "You really belieived it don't you?"The nerdy US embassy guy replies with "What'd you just say?" Then Gere says "Go to hell." Is that the right dialogue? And what the hell is Gere talking about? Is Gere suggesting the embassy thought he was guilty?
"Is Gere suggesting the embassy thought he was guilty?"
I thought it was because here "Jack" had gone through hell & back - was a foreigner accused of the worst thing facing a capital case & his LIFE and the embassy did basically nothing to protect or help him. I think he felt like, "oh yeah, you were totally on my side".
And I have a question: once Jack got to the embassy it seemed like they were planning somehow to get him out of there. Isn't that totally illegal? For ex: if we the USA were in the middle of a big trial with a foreigner accused and he escaped to his embassy - that embassy (under international law, I believe) would be under obligation to give him back to be tried. No? So, if Jack left China via the US embassy wouldn't that be an act of direct defiance to the Chinese that the US would not want to do? Someone let me know about this. Thanks!
I think he said that because the embassy really did little to help him the whole time. Now they were "glad" he was out and acted like they always believed he could get out, but in reality that wasn't true. Moore and his lawyer (I forgot her name sorry) were the only ones who were fighting for his freedom and justice. His lawyer obviously cared and did more than the embassy did. Embassy has all the power, but that was all they did, being superficially supportive and really did nothing to push the process in reality (aside from the fact that they couldn't care less about the lawyer's safety), and now when they showed up to claim Moore's acknowledgement, of course he would tell them to go to hell.
An embassy abroad is deemed to be the territory of the country it is representing. Ex. a USA embassy abroad is American territory. As such, if an american citizen is inside this 'building' - he is deemed to be on American soil (just like he would be aboard an American military vessel).
Now, once inside - even if he is a criminal - the Chinese authorities (or whoever may be persuing the criminal) MAY NOT enter that embassy without going through the diplomatic channels.
If the criminal is taken out of that building to be returned to the USA - he is back on foreign soil and MAY be arrested. you will notice that in the film they mention keeping him there for a year....
anyway, im not saying things are clear-cut. far from it. It would be a diplomatic mess. We have also had real-life cases which they teach us at law school that really make you wish you took up some other profession. For example - what would happen if A (who is standing outside an Embassy) shoots at B who is inside? what if A are the authorities and B is a wanted criminal?
The only certainty is that the guys at CNN would have enough material for a lifetime of 'specials'.
out of point perhaps....but i just felt like writing something about this.
cheers all.
oh by the way - the film is bad but not terrible. :)
Read the book "The Forsaken" Its not about China, but its about Americans detained in Stalinist Russia in the 30s, and many of the Americans manage to get to there embassy. Once they get there, the embassy does nothing for them, and basically convinces them to leave or hands them over to the authorities, due to the fact that Russia claims they are criminals or they are somehow Russian citizens. The embassy also has documented proof that many of the Americans legally working in the USSR are being arrested and shot or sent to the Gulag and simply ignore it and not even tell any of the officials in Washington. The worst criminal of all is the 2nd Ambassador, Joseph Davies. I say read that book because it kind of gives you an idea of what an embassy will do for you if you get in trouble in a foreign country. I think what happened to Jack in this movie was extremely accurate in terms of America's stand. The ambassador never went and saw him, never left Shanghai, and the person in charge of his care was useless. When he manages to get inside, the other idiot basically says we have a full scale incident, like he should have made an appointment instead of busting out of prison. From what i've been told, an embassy will do almost nothing for you. The people who work there are trying to hold relations with the countries government and have some rule about getting involved in the local affairs. In some cases the ones who have the ability to help will not simply because they have their own career and interests to look after. Thats precisely what happens in the Forsaken with Joseph Davies. Once again i encourage all to read that book.
To put it in plain English, if you travel to a foreign country, you are on your own. The embassies are not there to protect you nor will they.
director_80... the embassy will only help you out if you are rich or famous. most of the losers that work in 'foreign service' positions have b.s. liberal arts degrees paid for by their parents, and just like you said, they are either corrupt or climbing the ladder.